A post on the EA site confirms that a “technical test” beta period is on the way for Battlefront. Beginning in early October, the beta period will have three game modes and multiple features for player to test. Although given that the game will have likely already been printed and begun retail distribution by October with it’s November release, this feels more like a server stress test mixed with a demo period rather than a full-fledged testing period.
Coming early October to PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and on Origin for PC, the Star Wars Battlefront Beta* is a technical test and will feature Walker Assault on Hoth, a 40-player multiplayer battle featuring Rebels and the Empire. Walker Assault will also give you the chance to play as two of the most iconic characters in the Star Wars™ universe: Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker. The Beta will also feature our Survival Mission on Tatooine, where you and a Rebel friend must fight back waves of Imperial forces.
In addition to those two modes, we are excited to reveal a brand-new mode that will be available in the Beta, Drop Zone. We’ll be sharing more details on Drop Zone in the weeks ahead.
There is however a bit of bad news contained within the release. News that the game will release with a companion app is tacked on at then end. This app will feature the typical trappings of a “freemium” app with chances for players to earn in-game currency in exchange for using said app. The app itself is described as a strategic card game, with in-game customization of loadouts and character appearance thrown in. To me, this sounds an awful lot like microtransactions of various flavors will be shipping with Battlefront. And given EA’s history of monetizing in-game unlocks, I’m not surprised.
